Boundary:

Lilianfels Avenue and Panorama Drive, Katoomba, comprising house, original kitchen block, cottage (The Kennels), shed between house and cottage and remains of original garden.

All addresses

Street Address

Suburb/town

LGA

Parish

County

Type

10-16 Panorama Drive

Katoomba

Blue Mountains

Megalong

Cook

Primary Address

Lilianfels Avenue

Katoomba

Blue Mountains

Megalong

Cook

Alternate Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name

Owner Category

Date Ownership Updated

Lilianfels Blue Mountains Pty Ltd

Private

23 Mar 99

Statement of significance:

Lilianfels has historic and social significance as the core remnant estate comprising a summer residence built for Sir Frederick Darley, Chief Justice, Lieutenant Governor of NSW and then Privy Counsellor, and Lady Darley.

The house has aesthetic significance as a fine example of a late Victorian/ early Queen Anne house designed by Varney Parkes and remains substantially intact. Some of the original interior finishes remain and thus it is a good example of a house and lifestyle of the period.

The site comprises the house, kitchen, cottage and extensive gardens, all of which provide an attractive setting and have high aesthetic value for a complex which demonstrates the the characteristics of a summer residence in the Blue Mountains.

The gardens and grounds have historic significance as remnants of Chief Justice Darley's 1880s estate at Echo Point. The gardens and grounds of Lilianfels, although substantially altered, still contain some important elements of the original layout and demonstrate the key characteristics of the late 19th century summer estates developed in the Blue Mountains by wealthy and prominent citizens of Sydney. The exotic trees, hedges and vistas to Lilianfels house are important to the understanding of the historical development of Echo Point.

The location and orientation of the house near Echo Point and overlooking the Jamison Valley and set within attractive gardens provides an outstanding aesthetic appeal for the house, setting, and locality.

The remnant estate has been an important part of Katoomba for its historic and social associations. (Eric Martin & Associates, 2003, modified, Read, Stuart, 2004)

An important late Victorian summer residence built for Sir Frederick Darley, Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales and lady Darley (Criterion H.1). The house is architecturally significant as the work of Varney Parkes, later government architect, in an early version of the Queen Anne style (Criterion F.1). The house, kitchen block, detached cottage, mature garden and the prospect over Jamison Valley are highly valued for their aesthetic qualities (Criterion F.1). The complex is important for the way it demonstrates the characteristics of summer residences built in the Blue Mountains in the late nineteenth century by prominent figures of New South Wales (NSW) society (Criterion D.2). It is valued by the community for its historic and social associations and for its later role as a popular guest house (Criterion G.1). (AHC)

Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the OEH copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Designer/Maker:

Varney Parkes

Physical description:

Garden/grounds
The current garden is an interpretation of the earlier 19th century garden determined by and functional requirements based on archival photographs. Edging tiles found on site have been utilised and additional tiles introduced as necessary. The former pinetum or area defined as 'ornamental trees and shrubs' consists of plantings of conifers, Arbutus sp., azaleas, camellias, swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Prunus. The cherry laurel hedge (Prunus laurocerasus) which features in a c. 1915 photograph, has been retained. A visible connection to the street and interpretation of the early entrance drive has been retained on the eastern side of the property.

The gardens and grounds are largely overgrown. Remains of the driveway, paths and garden beds are discernible by edging tiles and changes of level. There are remains of brick drains, hedges, rock edging, steps and gates. The driveway is flanked by rhododendrons and laurels. Close to the house are plantings of hydrangeas and agapanthus. The grounds contain many exotic plants, dense groves of pine trees and an area once used as a tennis court.

House
The main house is a substantial timber framed weatherboard bungalow building on a red brick base, a rectangular hipped slate roof with brick chimneys punctuated by dormers on the front and rear, lighting attic bedrooms. Dormers facing towards the Jamison Valley have an unusual faceted configuration and small open spaces in front of them. Chimneys are tall and constructed out of brickwork that has been distinctively detailed with strapwork and also tuckpointed.

The corners of the external walls have been unusually detailed with quoins.

Several wide verandahs surround it; the main one along the front and the two sides feature turned timber posts with decorative timber fretwork valances and railings. The side verandah features a coloured leadlight window. The verandahs feature substantial turned posts, timber balustrading, turned valance joinery and exposed rafter ends. The treads of the steps up to the verandah have been formed from single pieces of slate, whilst risers have been tiled.

The main entry is located beyond a gable roofed porch that projects beyond the verandah.
Outbuildings
The originally detached weatherboard kitchen block has been linked to the main house by an enclosed passageway. Its roofline follows the form of the main house roof. The detached cottage, The Kennels is built of weatherboard similarly to the main house, though it is not as elaborate. The shed is a simple rustic building of timber with a skillion roof.
(AHC)

Current use:

Luxury Hotel

Former use:

Villa, holiday house

History

Historical notes:

NSW Chief Justice and Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Darley had the homestead built in 1889 and named it after one of his daughters, Lilian, who died of typhoid at the age of 22.

The family of Ebenezer Vickery, a well-known industrialist, farmer, merchant and benefactor, owned Lilianfels (Johnson, 2012).

The homestead now houses a restaurant 'Darley's'. 85 guest rooms were opened in an adjacent hotel in 1992 (Goldberg, 2008, 20).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)

New South Wales theme

Local theme

3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies

Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings

Landscapes and countryside of rural charm-

3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies

Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings

Landscapes demonstrating styles in landscape design-

3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies

Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings

Landscapes of scenic beauty-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.

Housing famous families-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.

Building for seclusion-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.

Accommodating travellers and tourists-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.

Gentlemens Mansions-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.

Country Villa-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

Sub-division of large estates-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages

Creating landmark structures and places in regional settings-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages

Rural orchards-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages

Developing towns in response to topography-

4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities

Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages

Beautifying towns and villages-

8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life

Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.

Architectural styles and periods - Federation Arts and Crafts-

8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life

Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.